Command attention.

Although shifts in technology and bike standards often seemed forced, some are the result of a unique idea that gained popularity from real-world benefits. Following this evolution, the Crank Brothers Iodine 2 27.5in Boost Wheelset represents a striking shift in wheel design that's both useful on the trail and aesthetically pleasing. The Iodine 2 is billed as an "enthusiast-level" alloy wheelset for enduro and all-mountain riders concerned with reliable stiffness and strength over gram-counting consciousness. This particular version of the Iodine 2 accommodates modern trail machines with Boost front and rear axle spacing, which makes for a reliably stout, stiff wheelset.

The Iodine 2 takes a radical departure from the mainstream with its striking twinspoke design, which catches attention as you demolish rock gardens, fly over natural drops, and rail around sweeping berms on the descent. Not only is this design easy on the eyes, but more importantly, the twinspokes increase overall stiffness and strength with their triangular structure. For those unfamiliar with engineering principles, triangles are regularly employed on bridges and overhanging structures, namely for their load-bearing ability. Translated into the Iodine 2's riding characteristics, you'll appreciate a noticeable increase in stiffness over flimsier stock wheels. Another benefit is that the overall mass of these spokes sits closer to the wheel's center for quicker acceleration when you're hammering up a climb or bursting from a corner.

Considering the 6061-T6 alloy rim sits at 28 millimeters across (internal width), the Iodine 2 is sufficiently stout for riding tires in the range of 2.3-to-2.5 inches on the trail. Although not as gargantuan as many wheelsets on the market, the 28-millimeter width gives all-mountain and enduro riders plentiful tire support without deforming rubber into a bulbous shape and exposing sidewalls to slashes from sharp rocks. The undrilled rim profile makes tubeless set-up a breeze, as you don't need to use rim tape. Another thing to note, Crank Brothers redesigned the hubs a couple of seasons back for greater reliability. Both hubs run on sealed cartridge bearings, with the rear hub having a three-pawl freehub with 21 points of engagement.